US Passport Falls Out of Henley Index Top 10 for the First Time in 20 Years

For the first time in the 20-year history of the Henley Passport Index, the United States passport has dropped out of the global top 10 for travel mobility. The ranking, compiled by Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Association, shows three Asian passports now leading the index: Singapore with 193 visa-free destinations, South Korea with 190, and Japan with 189.

The US is now ranked 12th, tied with Malaysia, granting visa-free access to 180 of 227 destinations. This marks a steep decline from 2014, when the US held the No. 1 spot, and from earlier this year when it was still in the top 10.

The decline is linked to recent visa policy shifts. Brazil revoked visa-free access for US travelers in April due to a lack of reciprocity. China expanded its visa exemption to several European countries but excluded the US. Additional changes in Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Somalia, and Vietnam further reduced US mobility compared to other countries.

Henley & Partners chair Christian H. Kaelin said the ranking reflects “a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power,” adding that countries “embracing openness are advancing, while those relying on past privilege are falling behind.” The UK passport also slipped, dropping to 8th place—its lowest ever.

Meanwhile, other countries are climbing the ranks. China has risen from 94th in 2015 to 64th in 2025, while the UAE has surged from 42nd to 8th place over the past decade.

Afghanistan remains at the bottom at 106th, with visa-free access to just 24 destinations.

The US’s drop is partly due to its own restrictive visa policies, offering visa-free entry to only 46 nationalities despite broad access for its citizens abroad. This gap is among the widest globally.

The decline has reportedly fueled growing interest among Americans in alternative residence and citizenship options. Still, experts note that top-ranked passports remain highly desirable, with limited impact on most travelers.

Other rankings, such as Arton Capital’s Passport Index, currently place the United Arab Emirates in the top position.